Printed circuit board bracket assembly and system and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A bracket assembly includes a bracket which readily and easily couples with a printed circuit board. The bracket includes at least one tab assembly foldably attached with a support flange for supporting the printed circuit board. The bracket also includes an outer flange which is coupled with the computer chassis. Alignment apertures on the support flange and the printed circuit board facilitate the alignment of the printed circuit board, and allow for rework of the printed circuit board. Each tab assembly is adapted to frictionally engage with corresponding features on the printed circuit board.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/838,719, filed onApr. 9, 2001, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,396,705, which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/185,496, filed on Nov. 4, 1998, nowissued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,979.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to brackets. More particularly,it pertains to brackets for the interface of printed circuit boards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For personal computers, an external interface between the internalprinted circuit board and the user is required, examples of whichinclude enhanced video adapter cards and network adapter cards. Theinterface bracket assists in securing the printed circuit board to thecomputer housing, and is coupled with the printed circuit board prior toshipment to a customer. It is desirable to position and assemblecomponents, such as the interface bracket and the printed circuit board,within the computer chassis such that they are easily removable by andeasily disassembled/reassembled by a user or technician, for example,for repair or replacement. In addition, the interface bracket assists inproviding mechanical integrity between the add-in card and the motherboard. The interface bracket further aids in creating an electrical sealbetween the computer chassis and the add-in card, as required byindustry standards for EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), RFI (RadioFrequency Interference), and ESD (Electrostatic Discharge). Industrystandards such as ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), PCI (PeripheralComponent Interconnect), and EISA (Extended Industry StandardArchitecture) further require certain geometries between the add-incards and the bracket.

Typically, the printed circuit board is secured to the interface bracketusing threaded fasteners or rivets that are inserted through the printedcircuit board and into the bracket. This method has several drawbacks,such as, when the printed circuit board is removed, the screws areoccasionally misplaced or the rivets and the bracket are permanentlydeformed. In addition, if all of the screws are not used to attach theprinted circuit board to the bracket, the printed circuit board may notbe secure, resulting in vibration of the printed circuit board,potentially causing damage to the components thereon. Otherdisadvantages of these methods include assembly labor cost, piece partcost, inconsistencies in the relationship of the bracket to the printedcircuit board, potential variance in the electrical continuity betweenthe bracket and the printed circuit board, and mechanical reliability ofthe components.

Accordingly, what is needed is a bracket which overcomes thesedisadvantages and ensures consistent mechanical geometry between thebracket and the printed circuit board. What is further needed is abracket which is easy to remove and install, and minimizes the costs ofprocurement and assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A bracket is adapted for assembling a printed circuit board thereto andis adapted for retaining the printed circuit board. The bracket securelyretains the printed circuit board without the need of additionalfasteners or other hardware. In one embodiment, the bracket includes anassembly tab, which has a shoulder portion and a flexible portion, wherethe flexible portion extends to a rounded distal tip. The shoulderportion protects the edge of the circuit board as the flexible portionis formed over the printed circuit board. The distal tip of the assemblytab is adapted for coupling with coupling features of a printed circuitboard. The bracket further includes a support flange adapted to couplewith a printed circuit board, and an outer flange which is adjacent tothe support bracket. The bracket also includes coupling features, suchas a first and/or a second set of apertures disposed on the supportflange.

In another embodiment, a bracket assembly is provided which securelyretains a printed circuit board to a bracket without the need ofadditional fasteners or hardware. The bracket assembly includes abracket and a printed circuit board. The bracket includes an assemblytab, which has a shoulder portion and a flexible portion, where theflexible portion extends to a distal tip. The shoulder portion protectsthe edge of the circuit board as the flexible portion is formed over theprinted circuit board. The distal tip of the assembly tab is adapted forcoupling with coupling features of a printed circuit board. The bracketfurther includes a support bracket adapted to couple with a printedcircuit board, and an outer bracket which is adjacent to the supportbracket.

In yet another embodiment, a bracket assembly and system is provided foruse in a computer system, which includes a printed circuit board coupledtherewith. The bracket assembly is adapted to allow for easy assembly ofthe printed circuit board therewith. A computer chassis encompasses abracket assembly, which includes a bracket and a printed circuit board.The bracket includes an assembly tab, which has a shoulder portion and aflexible portion, where the flexible portion extends to a distal tip.The shoulder portion protects the edge of the circuit board as theflexible portion is formed over the printed circuit board. The distaltip of the assembly tab is adapted for coupling with coupling featuresof a printed circuit board. The bracket further includes a supportbracket which adapted to couple with a printed circuit board, and anouter bracket which is adjacent to the support bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a computer chassis and bracketassembly constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a bracket constructed inaccordance with the one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a portion of a side view illustrating a bracket constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a portion of a top view illustrating a bracket constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a bracket assembly constructedin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away view of the bracket assembly taken along 6—6 ofFIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may bepracticed. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is tobe understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structuralchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to betaken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

A bracket assembly 110 is provided for use in a computer system 120, asshown in FIG. 1, which includes a printed circuit board 112 coupledtherewith. The bracket assembly 110 is adapted to allow for easyassembly of the printed circuit board 112 to the bracket assembly 110.Enclosing and protecting the computer system is a computer chassis 100.The computer chassis 100, although not limited to, is a structure whichprotects the computer system which includes a housing base 102, housingwalls 104, and a housing cover. (not shown). One of the housing walls,104, as shown in FIG. 1, is adapted to couple with the bracket assembly110. It should be noted that multiple bracket assemblies can beprovided.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate various views of another embodiment of a bracket130. As shown in FIG. 2, the bracket 130 includes a support flange 132,an outer flange 170, and at least one assembly tab 150. The outer flange170 is adapted to couple with the computer chassis 100 (FIG. 1). Theouter flange 170 extends from a first end 174 to a second end 176. Thefirst end 174 comprises a tab 178 which removably couples withcorresponding structure of the chassis 100. The second end 176 comprisesa flange 177 which is folded over and is transverse to the outer flange170. The flange 177 is adapted to receive a fastener (not shown), suchas a threaded fastener, therethrough to couple the flange 177 with thechassis 100, although other methods of attachment of the bracket 130 canalso be incorporated. The outer flange 170 also includes a cutout 172 toallow media access with the computer system. The outer flange 170, inone embodiment, is disposed transverse to the support flange 132.

The support flange 132, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 4, isadapted for coupling and supporting a printed circuit board therewith.The support flange 132 extends from a first end 142 to a second end 144.Disposed at each end, in one embodiment, is at least one assembly tab150. It should be noted that one or more assembly tabs 150 can be usedwith the bracket 130. The support flange 132 is further defined by afirst set of apertures 134. The first set of apertures 134 form, in oneembodiment, coupling features for the assembly tab 150, as furtherdiscussed below. In addition, the first set of apertures 134 are alignedwith corresponding features of a printed circuit board (FIG. 5) whichallows access for rework of the attached bracket 130.

In another embodiment, the support flange 132 includes a second set ofapertures 136. The second set of apertures 136 correspond with similarfeatures in the circuit board which provide a way to align the bracket130 with the circuit board, as further discussed below. In anotherembodiment, the second set of apertures 136 also allow for grounding ofthe bracket 130 to the circuit board. The support flange 132, in anotherembodiment as shown in FIG. 4, further includes a cutout 138. The cutout138 allows for clearance for connector alignment pins (not shown), whichprotrude through the circuit board (FIG. 5).

As mentioned above, the support flange 132 has at least one assembly tab150 coupled therewith. The assembly tab 150 is adapted to retain aprinted circuit board (FIG. 5) to the bracket 130, while also providingeasy assembly of the printed circuit board to the bracket 130. Theassembly tab 150, shown in more detail in FIG. 3, includes a shoulderportion 152 which is coupled with the support flange 132. It should benoted that one or more assembly tabs 150 can be provided with thebracket 130.

In one embodiment, the shoulder portion 152 is foldably coupled with thesupport flange. 132 along a fold line (not shown). Alternatively, theshoulder portion 152 can be coupled with the support flange 132 in othermanners, for instance, the shoulder 152 can be welded with the supportflange 132. The assembly tab 150 extends from the shoulder portion 152to a flexible portion 153 which flexes around a printed circuit board(FIG. 5). In one embodiment, the shoulder portion 152 has a height 158of about 0.060 inches. The shoulder portion 152 assists in preventingdamage to the printed circuit board 180 during assembly since the sideedges of the printed circuit board are covered by the shoulder portion152. The flexible portion 153 extends from the shoulder portion 152 to adistal tip 154 which engages with coupling features on the printedcircuit board 180.

The distal tip 154 of the assembly tab 150 is adapted to couple withcorresponding features on the printed circuit board 180. In oneembodiment, the distal tip 154 includes a rounded portion 156 which issized to frictionally engage corresponding features in the printedcircuit board 180. Alternatively, the distal tip 154, and/or thecorresponding features of the printed circuit board, can include otherconfigurations such as snap fit features, interference fit, interlockingfeatures, or solder able features.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment, wherein a bracket assembly isprovided. The bracket assembly 200 includes the bracket 130 as describedfor FIGS. 2-4. In addition, the bracket assembly 200 includes a printedcircuit board 180 which is adapted to be coupled with the bracket 130.The printed circuit board 180, in one embodiment, includes couplingfeatures such as a first set of printed circuit board apertures 182 anda second set of printed circuit board apertures 184. The first set ofcircuit board apertures 182 are adapted to align with the first set ofapertures 134 of the support flange 132. Furthermore, the first set ofprinted circuit board apertures 182 are sized and positioned to receivethe distal tip 154 of the assembly tab 150 therein. In anotherembodiment, the first set of printed circuit board apertures 182 arealigned with the first set of apertures 134 of the support flange 132,which allows for. Access for rework of the bracket 130.

The printed circuit board 180 also includes a second set of printedcircuit board apertures 184. The second set of printed circuit boardapertures 184 are aligned with the second set of apertures 136 of thesupport flange 132. The alignment of the circuit board apertures 184with the support flange apertures 136 allows for the bracket 130 to bealigned with the circuit board 180 when the assembly. Tab 150 is formedto the printed circuit board 180. A fixture including tooling pins canbe used to align the apertures of the bracket 130 and the printedcircuit board 180 which facilitate proper and accurate assembly of theprinted circuit board 180 to the bracket 130. The tooling pins protrudethrough the bracket 130 and the printed circuit board 180 duringassembly thereof.

To assemble the bracket assembly 200, the printed circuit board 180 isplaced on the support flange 132 such that the circuit board 180 isadjacent to the outer flange 170. The first set of circuit boardapertures 182 are aligned with the first set of apertures 134 of thesupport flange 132. Optionally, the second set of circuit boardapertures 184 are aligned with the second set of apertures 136 of thesupport flange 132, for example, using a fixture with tooling pins. Oncethe printed circuit board 180 is properly aligned with the bracket 130,the assembly tab 150 is coupled with the printed circuit board 180.

To couple the printed circuit board 180 with the bracket assembly 200,in one embodiment, the flexible portion 155 is formed around the printedcircuit board 180 such that the distal tip 154 is disposed in one of thefirst set of circuit board apertures 182, as shown in FIG. 6. In anotherembodiment, the distal tip 154 is formed such that it is disposed withinone of the first set of circuit board apertures 182 and one of the firstset of apertures 134 of the support flange 132. The single or multipleassembly tabs 150 can be formed simultaneously, for instance, byautomated assembly, or can be formed one at a time. Alternatively, inanother embodiment, the distal tip 154 is electrically coupled with thefirst set of circuit board apertures 182, for instance, to providegrounding for the circuit board 180. The printed circuit board 180,however, can also be electrically coupled with the bracket 130 in othermanners. After the printed circuit board 180 is assembled with thebracket 130, the bracket assembly 200 is removed from the fixture.

The bracket 130 is formed by stamping the bracket 130 from, but notlimited to, an electrically conductive material, such as steel, tin,copper, or aluminum. Those skilled in the art will recognize that othermaterials which provide a flexible portion 155 for the assembly tab 150can also be used. In addition, the bracket 130 can also be formed inother manners, such as automated assembly or using a fixture.

The bracket assembly embodiments described above provide severaladvantages in that the circuit board is easily assembled with thebracket. The tab assembly frictionally engages the circuit board, andalso allows for the printed circuit board to be electrically coupled andgrounded with the bracket. Consistent geometry between the circuit boardand the bracket can also be facilitated by the bracket assembly.Assembly time and parts can be reduced, to thereby reduce the cost inproducing the bracket assembly. Furthermore, the bracket assemblyassists in preventing damage to the printed circuit board duringassembly of the bracket assembly.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments will beapparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding theabove description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, bedetermined with reference to the appended claims, along with the fullscope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly: a bracket including a supportflange; a printed circuit board coupled with the support flange; one ormore assembly tabs attached to the support flange, the one or moreassembly tabs having at least a first uncoupled position and a secondcoupled position, in the second position the one or more assembly tabscoupled with the printed circuit board with the bracket; and the one ormore tabs extending from a proximal end to a free distal end, the freedistal end is moved toward the proximal end when the tab is moved fromthe first position to the second position, the free distal end of theone or more tabs having substantially a same cross sectional area inboth the first position and the second position.
 2. The assembly asrecited in claim 1, further comprising an outer flange coupled with thesupport flange, and the outer flange is substantially perpendicular tothe support flange.
 3. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein theone or more tabs include two flexible tabs disposed near opposite sidesof a printed circuit board.
 4. The assembly as recited in claim 1,further comprising a shoulder coupled between the one or more tabs, theshoulder having a shoulder height, the printed circuit board defined inpart by a thickness, and the shoulder height is at least as great as thethickness.
 5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising acomputer chassis, and the bracket is coupled to at least a portion ofthe computer chassis.
 6. An assembly: a bracket including a supportflange; a printed circuit board coupled with the support flange; one ormore assembly tabs attached to the support flange, the one or moreassembly tabs having at least a first uncoupled position and a secondcoupled position, in the second position the one or more assembly tabscoupled with the printed circuit board with the bracket; and the one ormore tabs extending from a proximal end to a free distal end, the freedistal end is moved toward the proximal end when the tab is moved fromthe first position to the second position, wherein the one or more tabsinclude a slender flexible finger.
 7. An assembly: a bracket including asupport flange; a printed circuit board coupled with the support flange;one or more assembly tabs attached to the support flange, the one ormore assembly tabs having at least a first uncoupled position and asecond coupled position, in the second position the one or more assemblytabs coupled with the printed circuit board with the bracket; and theone or more tabs extending from a proximal end to a free distal end, thefree distal end is moved toward the proximal end when the tab is movedfrom the first position to the second position, wherein the supportflanges includes one or more coupling features integral therewith. 8.The assembly as recited in claim 7, wherein the coupling featuresinclude one or more apertures disposed within the support flange.
 9. Anassembly: a bracket including a support flange; a printed circuit boardcoupled with the support flange; the bracket including one or moreflexible assembly tabs having at least a first uncoupled position and asecond coupled position, in the second position the one or more assemblytabs coupled with printed circuit board with the bracket; the one ormore tabs extending from a proximal end to a free distal end, the freedistal end is moved toward the proximal end when the tab is moved fromthe first position to the second position, the free distal end having atapered edge, and having substantially a same cross sectional area inboth the first position and the second position; and a computer chassis,where the bracket and the printed circuit board are entirely disposedwithin the computer chassis.
 10. The assembly as recited in claim 9,wherein at least one assembly tab is foldable from the first position tothe second position.
 11. The assembly as recited in claim 9, whereineach assembly tab is folded over a side edge of the printed circuitboard.
 12. The assembly as recited in claim 9 further comprising ashoulder coupled with the support flange, the shoulder having a shoulderwidth and the tab having a tab width, and the shoulder width is greaterthan the tab width.
 13. The assembly as recited in claim 12, whereineach shoulder abuts an edge surfaced of a printed circuit board.
 14. Anassembly: a bracket including a support flange; a printed circuit boardcoupled with the support flange; the bracket including one or moreflexible assembly tabs having at least a first uncoupled position and asecond coupled position, in the second position the one or more assemblytabs coupled with printed circuit board with the bracket; the one ormore tabs extending from a proximal end to a free distal end, the freedistal end is moved toward the proximal end when the tab is moved fromthe first position to the second position, the free distal end having atapered edge, wherein each tab is a slender finger having a tapereddistal tip; and a computer chassis, where the bracket and the printedcircuit board are entirely disposed within the computer chassis.
 15. Anassembly: a bracket including a support flange; a printed circuit boardcoupled with the support flange; the bracket including one or moreflexible assembly tabs having at least a first uncoupled position and asecond coupled position, in the second position the one or more assemblytabs coupled with printed circuit board with the bracket; the one ormore tabs extending from a proximal end to a free distal end, the freedistal end is moved toward the proximal end when the tab is moved fromthe first position to the second position, the free distal end having atapered edge; and a computer chassis, where the bracket and the printedcircuit board are entirely disposed within the computer chassis, whereinthe support flange includes at least one coupling feature integraltherewith.
 16. The assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the at leastone coupling feature includes a first set of apertures disposed withinthe support flange.
 17. A method comprising: placing a printed circuitboard on a planar support flange of a bracket, the bracket including oneor more assembly tabs having at least a first uncoupled position and asecond coupled position, in the second position the one or more assemblytabs coupled with printed circuit board with the bracket, the one ormore tabs extending from a proximal end to a free distal end; moving thefree distal end toward the proximal end and maintaining substantially asame cross sectional area at the free distal end while moving the tabfrom the first position to the second position.
 18. The method asrecited in claim 17, further comprising folding and deforming theflexible assembly within coupling features of the printed circuit board.19. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising folding anddeforming the flexible assembly within coupling features of the printedcircuit board and within coupling features of the support flange. 20.The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising placing a shoulderof the bracket directly adjacent to a side edge of a printed circuitboard, where a shoulder width is greater than a tab width.
 21. Themethod as recited in claim 17, further comprising disposing the entirebracket and printed circuit board within a computer chassis.